Method and assembly for storing, transporting and using a metering size press rod assembly in a paper-making machine

Abstract

A metering size press rod assembly specifically for use in a paper-making machine is stored and transported in a container and use in the paper-making machine. A plurality of metering size press rod assemblies are assembled. A storage sand transport container is provided at shipping location. The container includes a plurality of elongate openings therein. Each metering size press rod assembly is loaded into a corresponding one of the elongate openings in the container. The container is then transported to a user location, the metering size press assemblies are then sequentially and individually removed from the container, used in the papermaking machine and reloaded into the elongate openings in the container. The container with the used metering size press rod assemblies is the transported back to the shipping location.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of storing, transporting and using a metering size press rod assembly in a paper-making machine, said method comprising the sequential steps of: assembling a plurality of metering size press rod assemblies, said assembling step for each said metering size press rod assembly including the non-sequential sub-steps of:   placing a metering rod within a rod holding portion of a metering rod bed, said metering rod bed including a fluid channel associated with said rod holding portion;   attaching a pair of end plates to respective opposite ends of said metering rod bed; and   coupling a rotational power coupling to an end of said metering rod;   providing a storage and transport container at a shipping location, said container including a plurality of elongate openings therein, each of said elongate openings being spaced apart from and substantially parallel to each other, each said elongate opening having a cross sectional shape which is approximately the same as a cross sectional shape of each said metering size press rod assembly, and each said elongate opening having a cross sectional size which is larger than a cross sectional size of each said metering size press rod assembly by a predetermined clearance distance;   loading each said metering size press rod assembly into a corresponding one of said elongate openings in said container;   transporting said container to a user location;   sequentially and individually removing said metering size press rod assemblies from said container, using said metering size press rod assemblies in said paper-making machine, and reloading said used metering size press rod assemblies in said elongate openings in said container; and   transporting said container with said used metering size press rod assemblies back to said shipping location.   
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1, wherein said assembling step comprises the further non-sequential sub-steps of: inserting a pair of plugs in said fluid channel, each said plug being positioned adjacent a respective said end of said metering rod bed;   coupling a second rotational power coupling to an opposite end of said metering rod;   attaching a flexible blade to said metering rod bed; and   connecting an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe to said metering rod bed, each of said inlet pipe and said outlet pipe being in fluid communication with said fluid channel.   
     
     
       3. The method of claim 1, wherein said clearance distance associated with each said elongate opening is sized large enough to define a means for allowing a respective said metering size press rod assembly to be slid therein, and is sized small enough to define a means for preventing physical damage to a respective said metering size press rod assembly during said transporting steps. 
     
     
       4. The method of claim 1, wherein said container is comprised of an energy absorbing material which at least partially surrounds and supports each said metering size press rod assembly. 
     
     
       5. The method of claim 4, wherein said energy absorbing material comprises a plastic. 
     
     
       6. The method of claim 5, wherein said plastic comprises polystyrene. 
     
     
       7. A method of storing, transporting and using a metering size press rod assembly in a paper-making machine, said method comprising the sequential steps of: assembling a plurality of metering size press rod assemblies, said assembling step for each said metering size press rod assembly including the sub-steps of:   placing a metering rod within a rod holding portion of a metering rod bed, said metering rod bed including a fluid channel associated with said rod holding portion; and   attaching a pair of end plates to respective opposite ends of said metering rod bed;   providing a storage and transport container at a shipping location, said container including a plurality of elongate openings therein, each of said elongate openings being spaced apart from and substantially parallel to each other, each said elongate opening having a cross sectional shape which is approximately the same as a projected cross sectional shape of each said metering size press rod assembly, and each said elongate opening having a cross sectional size which is larger than a cross sectional size of each said metering size press rod assembly by a predetermined clearance distance;   loading each said metering size press rod assembly into a corresponding one of said elongate openings in said container;   transporting said container to a user location;   sequentially and individually removing said metering size press rod assemblies from said container, using said metering size press rod assemblies in said paper-making machine, and reloading said used metering size press rod assemblies in said elongate openings in said container; and   transporting said container with said used metering size press rod assemblies back to said shipping location.   
     
     
       8. The method of claim 7, wherein said assembling step comprises the further non-sequential sub-steps of: inserting a pair of plugs in said fluid channel, each said plug being positioned adjacent a respective said end of said metering rod bed;   coupling a pair of rotational power couplings to respective opposite ends of said metering rod;   attaching a flexible blade to said metering rod bed; and   connecting an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe to said metering rod bed, each of said inlet pipe and said outlet pipe being in fluid communication with said fluid channel.   
     
     
       9. The method of claim 7, wherein said clearance distance associated with each said elongate opening is sized large enough to define a means for allowing a respective said metering size press rod assembly to be slid therein, and is sized small enough to define a means for preventing physical damage to a respective said metering size press rod assembly during said transporting steps. 
     
     
       10. The method of claim 7, wherein said container is comprised of an energy absorbing material which at least partially surrounds and supports each said metering size press rod assembly. 
     
     
       11. The method of claim 10, wherein said energy absorbing material comprises a plastic. 
     
     
       12. The method of claim 11, wherein said plastic comprises polystyrene. 
     
     
       13. A method of storing, transporting and using a metering size press rod assembly in a paper-making machine, said method comprising the sequential steps of: assembling a plurality of metering size press rod assemblies, said assembling step for each said metering size press rod assembly including the sub-step of placing a metering rod within a rod holding portion of a metering rod bed;   providing a storage and transport container at a shipping location, said container including a plurality of elongate openings therein, each of said elongate openings being spaced apart from and substantially parallel to each other, each said elongate opening having a cross sectional shape which is approximately the same as a cross sectional shape of each said metering size press rod assembly, and each said elongate opening having a cross sectional size which is larger than a cross sectional size of each said metering size press rod assembly by a predetermined clearance distance;   loading each said metering size press rod assembly into a corresponding one of said elongate openings in said container;   transporting said container to a user location;   sequentially and individually removing said metering size press rod assemblies from said container, using said metering size press rod assemblies in said paper-making machine, and reloading said used metering size press rod assemblies in said elongate openings in said container; and   transporting said container with said used metering size press rod assemblies back to said shipping location.   
     
     
       14. The method of claim 13, wherein said assembling step comprises the further non-sequential sub-steps of: attaching a pair of end plates to respective opposite ends of said metering rod bed; and   coupling a rotational power coupling to an end of said metering rod.